Time Tracking
Time tracking systems is a necessary step in a large metropolis, however, as in other regions. The development of technologies, access to the Internet, the ability to save and transfer personal data - all this can be used not only to benefit the enterprise and improve the working conditions of employees, but also to the detriment of the enterprise. The time tracking system has taken its niche in the security systems environment. The presence of such a system allows you to track the actions of employees, their location, their work with data. Accounting for working hours is a system that is being introduced into protected facilities, thereby limiting the protected area, exercising control over the security of the enterprise.
Control and accounting of working time contributes to the successful operation of the enterprise for a number of reasons. Firstly, maintaining discipline within the work team - fixing lateness, timely arrival from the lunch break, early departure from the workplace. Secondly, the protection of the virtual space, as from the usual distraction to social networks and correspondence, to targeted industrial espionage. At different levels, the accounting of working time is carried out with the help of both physical and technical methods and with the help of special software.
Physical Accounting of Working Hours
Accounting for the company's working time at the physical level - coming to the workplace, leaving home, etc. - is carried out using an automatic accounting and access system. The general principle of operation is as follows - special terminals or biometric readers are installed at the entrance-exit. These readers are connected to the controller, which captures the information received from the individual identifiers of employees. Installation of these systems requires each employee to have a special identifier.
Terminals are cheaper, but less practical and less secure. Also, a significant disadvantage of the terminal is the need to provide each employee with a personal identifier. Such an identifier can be expressed in the form of a plastic card, a magnetic key or an individual PIN code. Biometric systems for recording and controlling working hours are a more modern technology. In terms of privacy, biometric readers meet higher standards. Identification of an employee in a biometric system is carried out by scanning a fingerprint or retina. The disadvantage of such a system is expressed in the psychological discomfort that a person experiences when passing control. The fingers or the shell of the eye, under such circumstances, may become wet - this may affect the identification procedure.
The use of a summarized working time report is also one of the types of working time control. This type of time recording is convenient in cases where it is necessary to draw up a schedule of working hours and convert existing figures into salaries. This type of report is aimed at fixing a long period of working time.
Computer Control of Working Hours
Another type of system that records the use of working time, at the same time guarantees security, data secrecy - different types of computer programs. For a company, the ideal solution would be to have such a system for personnel control. The development of this level of control appeared relatively recently, but it allows for the strictest control of working time - up to screenshots of employee screens during work.
The name of such a system is DLP. This type of system controls the flow of information. At the beginning of development, particular importance was given to incoming information flows. Now this system is used mainly to control outgoing information.
There are two methods by which a DLP system controls. The first method is based on the analysis of the features of the document - the signature stamp, marks, and so on. This method is convenient in the absence of fictitious positives. However, it is possible to skip unclassified information. The second method responds to all information flows. Modern firms that use the DLP system combine both methods.
The components that a DLP system has are divided into 2 types. These components are expressed in network modules as well as host level modules. Network modules are usually found on proxy servers. Host components are installed on individual computers of employees. Through the host components, control is exercised over saving, copying files to CDs, USB drives. The host modules also control the installation of various programs that facilitate the passage of information bypassing the DLP system.
But it is worth noting that business owners who control the time of employees using the DLP system may have legal problems. One way or another, with the help of a DLP system, the secrecy of correspondence can be violated. The owner of the company should involve a lawyer at the design stage of such a system, since the legislation has a number of amendments regarding such control.
The experience of introduction of the DLP system by businessmen has given both positive and negative results. When the system was set to the maximum level of control, in combination with video cameras and screenshots, correspondence monitoring, employees became less motivated. The DLP system software sometimes disrupted employees' PCs. As a result, most of the leaders of such companies came to the conclusion that it is better to make the form of monitoring more loyal.
Time tracking is an important part of a firm's productivity and security. Modern technologies provide an extensive level of opportunity for various levels of control. At the same time, total control does not give positive results - it negatively affects the motivation, and as a result, the working capacity of employees.